07-14-2018, 04:23 PM
Joseph Parker 'hungry' to win back world title but Dillian Whyte stands in his way
Joseph Parker is "hungry" to win back a world title after losing his WBO belt to Anthony Joshua in the first defeat of his professional boxing career.
Parker lost on points to Joshua in Cardiff on April 1 and returns to the ring against another British fighter, Dillian Whyte, at London's 02 Arena on July 29 (NZ time).
The winner would move back into contention for another world title shot and it's a potentially risky fight for the Kiwi facing the aggressive style of Whyte, who also suffered the only loss of his career to Joshua.
Anthony Joshua punching Parker on his way to victory in Cardiff in April.
But the 26-year-old New Zealand heavyweight said "there's no point in mucking around with fights that are easy".
"I lost the world title, we are still hungry," he told the UK's Sky Sports. "Our team really want to be champion again."
Parker returns to the ring against Dillian Whyte in London.
"There is no point going into camp and training for so long and then blasting someone out in one round."
Parker is in camp in London ahead of facing Whyte on his home turf and that challenge is something the Kiwi says will bring the best out of him.
"The main person to look at this and overlook and see if it's the right fight is [trainer] Kevin [Barry] and our matchmaker and I'm happy with it as well, so when the whole team is happy, it's time for us to get it on," he added.
"Every heavyweight possesses power but off Dillian's record, you can see he's got a lot of knockouts so you know he possesses the power to knock you out if he catches you.
"The challenge of fighting someone who is highly ranked and the power that he brings, and the style he brings, that's going to bring the best out of us."
Their records are almost identical; Parker is 24-1 and Whyte is 23-1. Parker has won 18 by knockout; Whyte 17.
- Stuff
Joseph Parker is "hungry" to win back a world title after losing his WBO belt to Anthony Joshua in the first defeat of his professional boxing career.
Parker lost on points to Joshua in Cardiff on April 1 and returns to the ring against another British fighter, Dillian Whyte, at London's 02 Arena on July 29 (NZ time).
The winner would move back into contention for another world title shot and it's a potentially risky fight for the Kiwi facing the aggressive style of Whyte, who also suffered the only loss of his career to Joshua.
Anthony Joshua punching Parker on his way to victory in Cardiff in April.
But the 26-year-old New Zealand heavyweight said "there's no point in mucking around with fights that are easy".
"I lost the world title, we are still hungry," he told the UK's Sky Sports. "Our team really want to be champion again."
Parker returns to the ring against Dillian Whyte in London.
"There is no point going into camp and training for so long and then blasting someone out in one round."
Parker is in camp in London ahead of facing Whyte on his home turf and that challenge is something the Kiwi says will bring the best out of him.
"The main person to look at this and overlook and see if it's the right fight is [trainer] Kevin [Barry] and our matchmaker and I'm happy with it as well, so when the whole team is happy, it's time for us to get it on," he added.
"Every heavyweight possesses power but off Dillian's record, you can see he's got a lot of knockouts so you know he possesses the power to knock you out if he catches you.
"The challenge of fighting someone who is highly ranked and the power that he brings, and the style he brings, that's going to bring the best out of us."
Their records are almost identical; Parker is 24-1 and Whyte is 23-1. Parker has won 18 by knockout; Whyte 17.
- Stuff